Wrench



June 9, 1925.

- 1,541,399 J. G. SAUNDERS WRENCH Filed Oct. 17, 192;

Patented June 9, 1925.

UNSTD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WRENCH.

Application filed October 17, 1923. Serial No. 669,167.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. SAUNDERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cross Plains, in the county of Callahan and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a rench, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to novel improvements in pipe wrenches and the like and the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved pipe wrench, which is particularly adapted for use on well casings and the like and which is so constructed as to preclude the crushing of the pipe or casing, when the wrench is in use.

A further prime object of the invention is the provision of a novel pipe or casing wrench which will effectively grip the pipe or casing and prevent theslipping of the said pipe or casing, the wrenchbeing so arranged as to permit the-easy and quick removal thereof from the pipe or casing irrespective of how the teeth of the wrench have caught into the pipe or casing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved pair of back up tongs or wrench for well casings of the above character, which will be durable and efficient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market at a small cost.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as Will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved wrench.

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the upper end of the master jaw and shank of the wrench, and

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the companion jaw for the master jaw of the wrench, and

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the removable jaw of the wrench.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A generally indicates the improved wrench or back up tongs for well casings and as shown, the same includes the elongated shank 5, which gradually tapers toward its rear end, as at 6. The shank 5 can terminate at its rear end in an eye 7 for facilitating the hanging up of the wrench or the like,,if so desired, when the wrench is not in use.

The inner or forward end of the wrench 5 is provided with a master jaw 8 and a removable rigid companion jaw 9. The removable companion gripping jaw'9 is provided with a relatively short shank 10 for abutting engagement with the shank 5' and the outer face of the shank 10 is provided with a pocket '11, the purpose of which, will be hereinafter more fully described. In order to facilitate the rigid connection of the companion jaw 9 with the master jaw 8, the inner face of the jaw 9 is provided with a transverse rib 12, which is adapted to fit in a suitable groove 13 formed in the inner face of the jaw 8. The jaw 9 is formed relatively longer than the jaw 8, and both of the jaws 8 and 9 are of an arcuate confignration so as to conform to the curvature of the pipe or casing, with which the wrench is associated. The jaws 8 and 9 are each provided with active jaw faces 14 and 15 respectively, which are removably attached to the j aws 8 and 9 so that new jaw faces can be used with the jaws 8 and 9, when the original jaw faces become worn or broken.

As shown each of the jaw faces 14 and 15;

are provided with transverse lugs 16, which are adapted to fit in pockets 1'? formed in the jaws 8 and 9 and these jaw faces can be retained'in place by suitable machine screws 18 or the like. The active portions of the jaw faces 14 and 15 have transverse biting teeth formed thereon, which gradually increase in height toward the outer edge of the master jaw 8, so that as the Wrench is turned, a tighter grip will be had upon the pipe or casing. In order to prevent the crushing of the pipe or casing, however, the

outermost tooth formed on the jaw face 14 is decreased in height and rounded as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawing.

In order to detachably hold the companion jaw in position against slipping 1nove ment, when the wrench is in use, a locking cam 20 is pivotally connected as at 21 to a swinging yoke 22, which is in turn pivoted as at 23 to the shank 5 of the wrench A. This yoke 22 is arranged in relatively close relation to the master jaw 8. The cam 20 is adapted to seat in the pocket 11 formed in the shank ot' the jaw 9 and it is ohvions that when this cam is operated so as to movethe throw portion thereof in the pocket, the aw 9 is held against movement.

The outer end of the jaw 9 is slotted as at 9A and a pin ekten'ds acrosssthe slotted portion. A holding chain 26 of the sprocket type is provided for; engaging about the pipe or casing and the in'ner end of the sprocket chain 26 1's pivoted as at 2T to:the shank 5 of the wrench A adjacent to'the jaw 8; The free end of the-chain 26 is"ins'erted through the slotted portion 24 of the jaw SanditheeXtreme 'lree end there'- of can be provided with a transverse holding pin 27. r Y I The shank 5 of the wrench adjacent to the outer end thereof can he provided with a: pivoted shackle 28", to permit the same to be attached to the engine hitch. in use of the improved wrench the. companion jaw 9';is first placed in position shown in Fig-lire 1 of the drawing after which the wrench is placed in engagement with the pipe or casing. The chain 26 is now passed around the pipe and placed through the slot 24- anddrawn into intimate engagement" with the pipe as'tight is possible atter which the wrench is turned. Prior to the turning of the wrench, one

linkot the chain is moved into engagement with the chain seat 28 formed in the inner surface of thejaw 9 on the inner walls of the slot 24,- which prevents slipping oi the chain. I

Now it is oljivious that duringv the rotation 01? the wrench that the'tseih tornied' on the HCidYG jaw :taces i l and 15 will bite into the pipe: and: due to the increase in the length of the teeth, a tighter grip will' he had on the pipe or casing'as pressure is increased upon the wrench: However, crashing o t tliepipe or casing is prevented due to the Shortening and the rounding ot the last tooth formed onthe jaw face 1 k.

\Vhen the wrench is to he reil'iovcd from the pipe orcasing and it is -found that the teeth have become deeply ii'nb'edde'd in the pipe, it is merely necessary tooperat'e the camSZOso astoreleas'e the shank l0 and remove the companion aw 9'1'101'11. out of en.- gagement with the pipe or easing, aftwh'ch the wrench can he quickly and easily removed from engagement with the pipe.

Fro'inthe foregoing description, it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and thirable' Wrench for weil casings and the like which will effectively acconiplish the purpose intended. W

Changes in details-may he made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention,

lVhat I claim as new is:

1. A. wrench of the character descrihed comprising a shank, a jaw rigidly carried one end of the shank, a detachable conipanion jaw arranged to form a continuation of the first jaw for forming an arc of a circle therewith, means for clamping the detachable companion jaw'rigidly in position, and a chain pivotally connected to the shank extending over the active faces of the jaws and arranged to deta'chahly engage the companion jaw. p

2. A wrench of the character described comprising an elongated shank, a master jaw rigidly carriedhy one end o't the shank,

detachable companion jaw engaging the shank and forming a continuation of the master jaw, said jaws forming an arc of a circle, means detachahly holding the com-- panionjaw rigidly in position against movement, a pipe gripping. chain pivotally connected at one end to the shank extendi-ngover the active faces of. the jaws and adjustably connected at its opposite end to the companion jaw. 7

3. A wrench of the character described comprising an elongated shank, a jaw formedon: the innerendolf the Shit: i, said jaw'having a transverse groove formed in its inner edge, a" companion jaw arranged to (letachably eii'ga'gie'thesl'iank and form a continuation of the first mentioned jaw, a relatively short shank l orniedonth'e COiH- panion jaw lorcontact with the li'rt mentioned shank havinga cam seat 'l 'orniieil therein, a pi'vot ed yoke carried by tl'ie first mentioned sha-i'ik, a: pivoted cam carried by the yoke arranged to engage in the cam seat, the outer end of the companion jaw being provided" with a slot; a chain seat formed in the'iniietwalis of the" slot, and a sprocket chain pivoted at one and to the first mentioned" shank for'eiigagingabout" a: pipe and having" its opposite end passed through the slot, any one oi the links" of the chain l'wei'ng' adapted to lit in saidwh'ain In testimony whereof I al'jiix in signintuie inpresence of two witnesse JOHN G; SAUNWCRB.

lVitnesses:

Tom BRYAM, SETH T. F'ii-mns; 

